Moonlighting: Should You Tell Your Boss?

Spilling the Beans About Second Jobs

"Moonlighting is sort of the American way," said employment attorney John Robinson of the Florida law firm Fowler White Boggs. "It only becomes a problem if it interferes with your primary job."

Obviously, running a side business from your cubicle is a no-no. Ditto for stealing your employer's customers or showing up to work exhausted because you've been burning the midnight oil at your other gig.

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Jeannie, a business development administrator at a San Diego construction company, had these golden rules in mind when seeking part-time work in October once business got slow. Her side gig? Working for a children's birthday party entertainment company on weekends ("I've been a clown, an elf, a fairy, a princess and a pop star," she said).

Because her part-time job didn't affect her Monday through Friday work, she decided to come clean with her employer right away.

"I figured it was better to explain myself and make light of the situation on my own terms," said Jeannie, who didn't want her last name mentioned. "My worst nightmare would be to show up at a co-worker's house for their kid's birthday party dressed as a clown or fairy."

The reaction at her office?

"People here love it -- they're always asking about my parties," Jeannie said. "I think people are more understanding of side gigs now than they would have been a few years ago. People have even said it's admirable that I'm doing what I need to do to make sure I can make my house payment and have money saved up for emergencies."

Avoiding a Conflict of Interest

Of course, not all moonlighting gigs are created equal, reminded Robinson.

"If you're going to be up there naked and dancing on stage and you work for a church, that's a problem," he said.

Likewise, he added, "If you're someone who's working at a nuclear power plant during the day, I think your employer's entitled to say that's your only job. You shouldn't be out at night leading fishing tours."

Some employers maintain a no-moonlighting policy. Others have a non-compete policy that forbids employees from working for industry competitors. Understandably, they want your undivided loyalty and they want you to keep their trade secrets quiet.

Even so, some workers find their employer's attitude toward moonlighting oppressive.